April 10th Sunday Assembly

Featuring "How Satan Brings Us Closer to a More Just and Compassionate World"

with Ali Kellog & William Morrison from The Satanic Temple

Members of The Satanic Temple (T.S.T.) do not actually believe in Satan. Instead, they use the literary Lucifer as a satirical tool to promote egalitarian, secular values and push back against encroachment on the separation of church and state. Why Satan? They are joining us to answer just that question.

In their own words ... "It’s the question members of T.S.T. are constantly asked. For us, the image of Satan represents the ultimate rebel. The outsider. In Christianity, Lucifer was the archangel cast out of heaven for defiance and questioning authority. This metaphor resonates strongly with our identity as individuals and as an organization. When confronted with religious extremism and those who envision America as a theocracy, members of T.S.T. attempt to serve as mirrors, quietly asserting our humanist stance and generally causing our detractors to fly into a frenzy when faced with a simple indefensible argument supported by the first amendment. It’s a risky venture. The imagery we use alienates a lot of people, but at the end of the day it works."

In the short time T.S.T. has been around they have won some major battles for the secular movement and garnered a great deal of support from the international press. Even CNN has come out in support of T.S.T. and its mission. During their talk, they will speak about the seven tenets of the Satanic Temple and why they choose to identify with the image of Satan as individuals and as an organization.

They will also update the assembly on current actions that are happening with T.S.T. nationally, in the realm of 1st amendment rights and women’s reproductive rights and provide an overview of the development of the L.A. chapter of T.S.T. and their future plans.

At Sunday Assembly, we understand that the word "Satan" is provocative, but we feel this talk is both timely and relevant to anyone invested in the separation of church and state. If you have any questions or concerns before the Assembly, we are happy to answer them. You can reach us at: info@sundayassemblyla.org

About Ali Kellog:Ali Kellog is an archaeologist, musician, writer, visual artist and activist. She studied anthropology at UCLA and conducted research on ancient Mayan agricultural and religious practices in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. A seasoned musician, DJ and artist, she has recorded, toured, and performed with various acts including Father John Misty, Jeffertitti’s Nile, Ahkiyyini, Lumerians, Benson & Stabler, and her solo project Sister Calypso. She has worked with Playing For Change, a non-profit organization and multi-media music project which brings music schools to impoverished youth around the world. She also regularly works with the ChangeFire orphanages in Mexico, installing solar panels and providing education for the children. She currently works as an educator at a Holocaust museum in L.A., primarily teaching children and teenagers about genocide, racism, and social activism.

About William Morrison:Morrison is a Canadian born Grammy nominated Filmmaker and Musician.He's forged a long standing relationship with the West Coast industrial music scene and became a member of the pioneering activist band Skinny Puppy. In tandem with his musical career he embarked on a decade of producing and directing culinary, action reality television and documentaries all over the globe for Food Network, History, Discovery, Travel, MTV, BBC and more. William has worked extensively with Native and Inuit peoples from Wounded Knee to the high Arctic, working with the Nisga’a tribe to create an audio visual data base to preserve their dying language for future generations. Most importantly, living in Los Angeles, he’s the devoted single parent of two amazing kids.

With guest musician: Voices of Reason

Voices of Reason is an a cappella group supported by Atheists United, catering specifically to atheist/agnostic/humanist singers and audiences. They select music that reflects those values, whether it's about religion, human virtues, or even edgy comedy. They do take new members, so whether you've been in a choir, musical theater, or even if you can't read music but can hold a note, come talk to us afterwards or go to voicesofreason.net to join our meetup group www.meetup.com/VoicesOfReason. Our meetings are in Echo Park, about twice a month for two hours.

James Witker is "Doing his Best"

Collection Drive: Baby 2 Baby

Please bring new and VERY GENTLY used items for children 0 - 12 including: clothing, toys, beds, cribs, diapers, wipes, school supplies, car seats, carriers, maternity clothing, breast pumps, monitors, shoes, and more. You can see a full donation list HERE.

Ian Dodd and Chole Rivera host!

Join us to find your seat at 11 am, and at 11:10 am, on the dot, we will have great talks, live music and secular celebration. Stick around afterward for coffee and, if you're still game, lunch at the Oinkster across the street.

****SPECIAL EVENT*****

Immediately following the Assembly is Sunday Assembly Line, from 12:30-2pm, is a fast, fun and friendly service where we put together care kits for the homeless. Join us! RSVP HERE. You can donate to the Sunday Assembly Line service project HERE.

The Sunday Assembly Line (2!)

Sunday Assembly is free of charge, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Everyone is welcome. Free childcare provided.

Free parking is available in our onsite parking lot, and street parking is also free on Sundays.

* Please note that our website is no longer accepting plus-ones for RSVPs. We ask that all adults RSVP individually or sign in at the Assembly. This ensures that you and your party can stay together while signing in, and it helps us improve our statistical data so we can keep working to improve the Sunday Assembly community. Thank you for your understanding.